Kportgrl
10+ Posts
Ok Italy travel veterans. Here is my question, which I will preface by saying that I live in Canada where the automobile is always the default method of transportation. Also we have been to Italy before and have, overall, enjoyed the driving (notwithstanding getting lost despite GPS a few times). We will be travelling between the Lake Como area and Parma (eventually heading to Spello). And eventually will be getting a car. We were thinking we would pick one up at Como or Lecco and drive to Parma. But we have been told that the traffic around Millan is horrific
And that we would be much better off taking the train to Parma. I’m not sure how this traffic would compare to a major North American city, or even Rome, Paris, or London, all of which we have driven in— just because we happen to have had a car from somewhere else. Has anyone driven around Milan (outskirts/highway)?I’m assuming there is no way to totally bypass this Milan ring road traffic?And secondly, has anyone ever been caught in a train strike in Italy? I’m told there is advance notice given, however, my understanding is that it’s just a few days. And, to my mind it would be rather stressful trying to cope with quickly making other transportation arrangements in a foreign country when you don’t speak the language. We are going to be on a two week trip, So even though I understand most train strikes don’t last more than a day or two, this would certainly impact on us despite it being a short period of time. All and any advice will be much appreciated.
And that we would be much better off taking the train to Parma. I’m not sure how this traffic would compare to a major North American city, or even Rome, Paris, or London, all of which we have driven in— just because we happen to have had a car from somewhere else. Has anyone driven around Milan (outskirts/highway)?I’m assuming there is no way to totally bypass this Milan ring road traffic?And secondly, has anyone ever been caught in a train strike in Italy? I’m told there is advance notice given, however, my understanding is that it’s just a few days. And, to my mind it would be rather stressful trying to cope with quickly making other transportation arrangements in a foreign country when you don’t speak the language. We are going to be on a two week trip, So even though I understand most train strikes don’t last more than a day or two, this would certainly impact on us despite it being a short period of time. All and any advice will be much appreciated.